Developing experimental design and troubleshooting skills in an advanced biochemistry lab

Abstract

Two skills critically important to all scientists are the ability to design good experiments and to troubleshoot experiments that do not yield the expected results. In spite of their importance, however, these skills are rarely taught as a part of the undergraduate science curriculum. This deficiency was addressed by creating an advanced biochemistry laboratory course that focuses on the development of experimental design and troubleshooting skills. The course provides students with the opportunity to design and evaluate their own experiments through semester-long independent projects that have a common theme (in this case, protein purification, but any theme could be used). Students plan their projects and carry through the experiments by consulting the primary research literature. The instructor provides minimal input in troubleshooting situations, instead allowing the student to think through and implement alternative solutions. A 2-year survey of the course revealed that students were often frustrated but felt the course significantly improved their experimental laboratory skills as well as introducing them to “real-world” laboratory experience. They further indicated that they preferred the approach used in this course to directed “cook-book” laboratory experiences.